Paracelsus quotes from Beauty and the Beast

Paracelsus

What was your little idea? A family of individuals...living according to a higher standard. How uninspired, Jacob, how small-minded. We could have been gods, you and I.

Paracelsus

Ah, but you're not weak, are you, Catherine? You're strong. Intrepid.

John?

Paracelsus

How did you find me?

We've always known where you were. We have looked in on you from time to time.

Paracelsus

Your compassion will kill you one day, Jacob.

It wasn't compassion. It was self-interest-making sure you didn't try to return.

Paracelsus

So they call you Father now. I heard it through the pipes. Ingenious idea, communicating on those pipes.

Yes, it was ingenious...of you, John.

Paracelsus

'Father'....I imagine you like that. It gives you all the authority you need, without making you sound like a despot...But underneath everything, you're no different from me.

I am different.

Paracelsus

Am I wrong, or is this place beyond your influence? Isn't that why I'm here...in exile?

I was only asking-

Paracelsus

Asking?! Asking? Tell me, what right do you have to ask me anything? What power do you bring here?

Vincent

Paracelsus.

Paracelsus

Vincent.

Vincent

You know my name?

Paracelsus

I know more about you than you think...

Vincent

I don't wish to harm you. But you must leave this place.

Paracelsus

Leave? By whose judgment?

Vincent

Mine.

Paracelsus

What does Falstaff say? That "the better part of valor is discretion"? Of course I will. I will do as you say. But wouldn't you like to hear me first? Or are you content to accept Father's story? Found as a babe outside St. Vincent's hospital? Did you really believe that all these years?...I know the truth. Aren't you at all curious to know why you are the way you are?

Paracelsus

Vincent is close.

Catherine

I know.

Paracelsus

You're really not afraid to die, are you?

Catherine

No.

Paracelsus

Not even as you watch the stage being built...Don't you feel anything?

Catherine

Sadness.

Paracelsus

About dying?

Catherine

About you. About the world you helped create. Vincent has told me. Your vision. Your ideals. All wasted.

Paracelsus

All taken from me.

Catherine

Still-wasted. Now all you want to do is destroy...something. Someone you don't even know.

Paracelsus

Then you perceive my life to be...contradictory.

Catherine

No, Tragic.

Paracelsus

Don't you see? It doesn't end with your death, or Vincent's. This is only the beginning.

Catherine

The beginning? Of what?

Paracelsus

Reclaiming what is mine. After all these years, I've decided to go home!

Paracelsus

Better to reign in hell than serve in heaven.

Vincent

Paracelsus.

Paracelsus

Milton, actually.

Paracelsus

Now it is your turn to listen. To know my pain, my grief of seeing the only things I ever loved torn away...but it wasn't just me...there were others...You. You were betrayed Vincent. You call him 'Father' but it was I who found you, wrapped you in rags, starving. It was I who named you "Vincent". And it was I who cared fro you all of those months. Even Father didn't think you'd live. But I-I fed you. I...bathed you. And you did live. Don't you see, Vincent? He wouldn't let me take you. When I was exiled he made me leave you behind! I loved you. You were mine...You don't believe me.

Vincent

What would you have me believe...that you loved...and are now capable of this?

Paracelsus

Now is the time for retribution!

Vincent

Then...you never really knew love.

Catherine

What do you want?

Paracelsus

Once a person is visited by violence, everything changes. Isn't that so? Nictze said, "That which does not kill me, makes me stronger." Well, I am stronger now!

Catherine

You still haven't answered my question.

Paracelsus

Vincent is the answer to your question. He is all that stands between Father and me, in more ways than one. (Shows Catherine burns on his face) And this is why I must destroy him.

Catherine

I am not afraid.

Paracelsus

You will be. You see, Vincent is also coming here to watch you die.

Catherine

Why? Why have you brought me here?

Paracelsus

Must there be a reason?

Catherine

Yes.

Paracelsus

I was exiled from my home, from the world I created, by the man you call Father. Even then, he wouldn't allow me to live in peace.

Catherine

I know the story. Fifty people died because of you.

Paracelsus

I killed no one. They died because they were fools.

Catherine

They were weak. There's a difference!